Diagnostic Solutions: Fluid Maintenance…Selling Needed Services Vs. “Wallet Flushing”
Good import shop managers stay on top of their annual workflow by placing jobs like timing belt and brake replacements into categories that can be tracked on a historical basis. If a shop has faithfully tracked the kinds of work flowing through its service bays during the past 10 years, it might become apparent that
Tech Feature: Dialing in on Today’s Engine Bearing Trends
When selecting engine bearings, engine builders often focus on getting the proper clearances and maintaining sufficient oil pressure, but other bearing characteristics should also be considered in certain applications. Durability is less of a concern today because the aftermarket and OEMs demand bearings that can last 150,000 miles even under severe stress from a neglectful vehicle owner.
Mitch Schneider: A Total Eclipse of the Son
Not all that long ago, an entire generation learned about high performance and hot rods from Jan & Dean and The Beach Boys. Their lyrics romanticized surfing, cars and the California lifestyle. I knew kids who quoted those lyrics as they described either the car they were driving, or the one they desperately wanted to drive. And, I guess that was OK.
Tech Tip: Brake Maintenance and Inspection
The brake actuating system, consisting of the master cylinder, calipers, hoses and wheel cylinders, experiences wear each time the driver applies the brakes. Some drivers rarely use their brakes and therefore never wear out a set of brake linings. Nevertheless, no matter how little the brakes are used, moisture contamination and rust will eventually cause the brake actuating system to fail.
A/C Tech Feature: The Future of R-134a
With all the talk about global warming and climate change, many people are wondering what the future holds for R-134a as an automotive refrigerant. R-134a was introduced back in the early 1990s as an "ozone safe" replacement for R-12. Unlike R-12, R-134a contains no chlorine, so it can’t harm the ozone layer that protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
Tech Tip: Common Mistakes to Avoid when Resurfacing Cylinder Heads and Blocks
Cylinder heads and blocks may need to be resurfaced to restore flatness or to improve the surface finish, or milled to change the deck height for a variety of reasons. The deck surface on the head or block may need to be resurfaced if the surface isn’t smooth or flat. A head may need to be resurfaced after welds or other repairs have been made, or milled to increase the compression ratio.
Tech Tip: Diagnosing Toyota Vehicle Skid Control Systems
Some 2000-2001 Toyota Avalon vehicles equipped with the Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) System may exhibit "VSC" and "VSC OFF" lights on (DTC C1301/42) in conjunction with a MIL "ON" (DTCs P0440, P0441 and/or P0446).
Tech Tip: Intermittent No Start or Stall after Saturn Start-Up
Some customers may comment that one or more of the following conditions has occurred: intermittent no start; intermittent stall after start-up; or loss of radio presets. These conditions may be caused by terminal tightness at PIN F-5 within the Instrument Panel Junction Block (IPJB Black 68 way).
Tech Tip: Wheel Speed Sensor Removal on Ford Escape Vehicles
When servicing the wheel speed sensors on a 2001-2005 Escape or 2005 Mariner and Escape Hybrid, care must be taken during removal to prevent damage. The wheel speed sensor wire has a body plug attached to it. This plug can be damaged if not removed correctly, such as removal for pinpoint testing.
Monroe Drives Home Replacement Message for Shocks and Struts through Outdoor Advertising Campaign Across U.S. and Canada
Motorists hitting the highway this summer won’t miss Monroe’s outdoor advertising campaign that debuted in May across the United States and Canada. The "underwear" campaign, a concept that communicates the need to replace ride control components after 50,000 miles for a smoother ride profile and better handling, is back for its second year.